Canberra Airport workers protest against potential cuts

Canberra Airport security staff have begun a campaign against their new employer, MSS Security, as they try to negotiate a new workplace agreement.

Two years ago, United Workers Union (UWU) members at the airport won improved conditions from employment contractor Certis Security, winning above-award conditions through threats of industrial action over Christmas.

But their new employer, MSS, wants to roll back these gains once the current enterprise agreement ends on 1 March. The company intends to cut sick leave balances (abolishing accruals) and income protection insurance and, crucially, undermine delegates’ rights and other conditions to weaken the union.

There is also talk of “unspecified conditions” that could be cut in the future. The UWU has called out MSS for its lack of dialogue and failure to disclose potential job losses, which could also occur from 1 March.

Staff are frustrated, stressed and worried about these developments, and many are unsure if they will still have a job in a few weeks. At a demonstration on 3 February, 30 UWU members—some airport staff and others from the union—protested against the attacks outside the airport entrance.

A second demonstration was held on 14 February after MSS Security and the Canberra Airport Group refused to communicate with the union. The rally was similar in size, but anger and frustration had grown as the deadline approached for a new deal and potential cuts to staffing and conditions.

With strong union coverage at the airport, there is hope that industrial action may go ahead in a few weeks if MSS remains silent.

It is not just airport workers under attack. Many of the other UWU members at the protests were cleaning staff at the Canberra Hospital, where the union is in drawn-out and seemingly unsuccessful negotiations with the ACT government. The Labor Territory government wants to cut cleaning staff and burden those who remain with greater workloads and responsibilities.

Readers can show support by attending future actions and by signing the UWU’s petition.